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Baader 1.25" Classic Orthoscopic Eyepiece - 18mm # BCO-18 2954118

4.6 (7 Reviews) Read Reviews Write Review
Brand Baader Planetarium
Part Number 2954118
Availability available

Product Info

Manufacturer Description

Even before the disappearance of the famed Baader Genuine Orthoscopics in mid-2012, Baader Planetarium sought to develop a set of true Planetary eyepieces that was accessible for any amateur - without breaking their bank. Foregoing fancy (and costly) cosmetics, the new Classic Eyepieces deliver where it counts - performance. Their sharpness and contrast rival other 'planetary' eyepieces costing much more. To achieve this performance and value, Baader drew upon their extensive in-house knowledge and experience, combined with optical designs and processes leveraged from Zeiss.

Features of the new Classic Eyepieces:

  • Optical design and manufacturing specs based on the highly regarded Zeiss Jena 0.965" orthoscopics (not any Japanese or Chinese makes).
  • Fully multi-coated: All air-to-glass surfaces are coated with Baader's HT MultiCoatings, specifically matched to each substrate.
  • Excellent ergonomics: The innovative recessed volcano top provides clearance for eyelashes and enables a comfortably located eyepoint without the stray light problems of a full volcano top.
  • Integrated winged folding rubber eyecup: Eliminates distracting stray side-light, enabling full concentration on the object, as well as providing a thermally insulating and soft non-scratching top surface (ie, for eyeglass wearers). Also outstanding for BinoViewing. Rubber eyecup may be folded down or removed, if needed .
  • 52-deg apparent field of view (6/10/18mm Orthoscopics): Makes finding and centering objects at high powers easier than typical 40-45deg eyepieces. 
  • Blackened lens edges; Parfocal.
  • Threaded to accept standard 1.25" astronomy filters.

Reviews

4.6 (Based on 7 Reviews) 100% of reviewers recommended this product.
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    1. AndresEsteban

      AndresEsteban New Member

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      Review by Andrés P.
      1564533656
      Jul 30, 2019

      5.0 Amazing Eyepiece!

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      The Baader Classic Ortho eyepieces, better known as BCOs, are the new version of the legendary Baader Genuine Ortho. They come with the superb Baader's HT MultiCoatings, a wide (for an ortho it means wide indeed) field of 52º and an unbelievable transparence and contrast. The 18 mm eyepiece is perhaps one of the best 18 mm eps. on the market at reasonable price. The BCO 18 mm high transmission and contrast shows pinpoint stars, fainter details and razor sharp borders on Moon feautures. There are lots of 18 mm eyepieces on the market but few with all the positive points this one ep has. A AFoV of 52º is excellent for an ortho, although some of us would prefer a 60º or more on a 18 mm ep. But as I've said, what it's lost in AFoV it's gained in overall performance at un unbeatable price.
      This ep also shows details fainter than other eyepieces. Don' know if it's due to the Baader's HT Transmission coatings, to the "less glass path" due to the Abbe design. It doesn't matter: amazing performance in all kind of scopes, f/16 refractors or f/5 reflectors, it doesn't matter!
      Used with the Baader Q Turret barlow 2.25x you get an excellent match and a superb 8 mm ep. but them you have the 10 mm BCO, so no need for this configuration except if you want more eyerelief than the BCO 10 mm has.
      This ep give amazing views with pinpoint stars on any open cluster or starry backfield on any telescopoe with any focal ratio.
      Without any doubt I'd say it's a MUST HAVE ep. in any eps astronomer box!

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    2. Astroballer

      Astroballer New Member

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      Review by Steven P.
      1555645389
      Apr 18, 2019

      5.0 Perhaps the best planetary eyepieces ever produced in this price range

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      I've owned the Baader Classic Ortho set for over a year now, and have put them to task on planets time and time again in a plethora of instruments from newts, to dobs, to maks, to SCTs, and achros to apos. All of the BCOs provide razor-sharp, crystal-clear images, with superb contrast. In my SW 100mm ProED, they have given some of the best planetary views I’ve ever had. Period.

      I absolutely love the 18mm. It’s very comfortable to look through; Saturn and Jupiter are so unbelievably crisp and sharp, they look like they are going to jump right out of the eyepiece at you. Want to take your viewing to the next level? Then try two of these babies in a bino-viewer! The 10mm is also a must-have for any planetary enthusiast, and is one of my all-time favorites in my refractors.

      If you want reliably mesmerizing views of planets through ANY instrument, then this is all the $$ you ever need to spend. To clarify a statement by a recent reviewer (whose 3-star review is an insult to this nearly legendary lineup), comparing these with more expensive eyepieces and then claiming to be disappointed with the results is quite a moot point. That’s like buying a Cadillac and a Ford Focus, then complaining that the Focus doesn’t perform as good as the Cadillac. If you want “better” then buy a Delos or a Delite, but don’t turn around and complain that the BCO isn’t as good. Makes zero sense.

      As far as eyepieces that cost just a little more, under good seeing conditions I would put these orthos up against a Televue Plossl any day of the week, especially in my apo! Bring it!!

      And by the way, the wing-shaped eye-cups are awesome, and quite comfortable…not awkward!

      Clear skies! :)

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    3. Guest

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      Review by Anthony H.
      1554589967
      Apr 6, 2019

      3.0 Sharp and clear

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      Comments:

      The BCO eyepieces perform reasonably well in both my 90mm achromat and my 10-inch Dob. The views are clear and sharp, considering their low price point. I bought these based on reviews and recommendations made by others who recommended them for planetary viewing. However, I have been somewhat disappointed by the results. I have other oculars--albeit slightly more expensive ones--that give better views. The other night, the BCOs showed the trapezium stars in M42 clearly, but the Meade Series 5000 8.8mm and 5.5mm both showed the E star that the BCO 6mm missed. The BCOs did an outstanding job for lunar viewing, though, showing sharp details on craters and other features. Overall, I would recommend them as upgrades to standard Plossls, especially for lunar details, but for a little additional money, better views can be had with other eyepieces. Also, I find the wing-shaped eyeguard to be extremely awkward. I ended up folding them down when using these eyepieces.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    4. Guest

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      Review by DONALD R.
      1515549932
      Jan 9, 2018

      5.0 18MM BAADER ORTHO

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      BOUGHT FOR A CUSTOMER AND HE WAS VERY HAPPY WITH IT AND HE IS A VERY CRITICAL OBSERVER

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    5. Guest

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      Review by TS
      1500252686
      Jul 16, 2017

      5.0 Another Great Baader Ortho!

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Like the 10mm and 6mm Baader, this 18mm is excellent! It has a nice, pleasant FOV and the sharpness is amazing.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    6. Guest

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      Review by scott
      1497536981
      Jun 15, 2017

      5.0 excellent planetary eyepiece

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      I have other high quality eyepieces but heard great things about these specifically for planetary and lunar observing. The detail seen through these are amazing and I am very happy I tried them out. The only downside I can tell is the short eye relief but if you don't wear glasses these are excellent for detail.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    7. Guest

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      Review by dude of Holland.
      1407196800
      Aug 4, 2014

      4.0 Good quality eyepiece

      Pros:

      Accurate,Strong Construction,Quality Lenses,Easy to Use

      Cons:

      Comments:

      This is a great quality eyepiece. I can see more moon crater details with this eyepiece than a 20mm Meade super plossl. The image is bright and sharp in the center, but a little fuzzy around the edges in my f/4 reflector. But the 52 degree AFOV more than makes up for that, compared to other narrower 42 degree AFOV Orthos or 45 degree RKEs. The edge fuzzieness goes away when I put this eyepiece in my 5x Explorer Scientific Focal Extender for 125x magnification.

      I wasn't sure about this eyepiece at first, but it's becoming one of my favorites. I like it so much, I bought the 10mm version too. I took away 1 star for 2 reasons. First, I didn't like the edge fuzziness at first. Second, I didn't like the winged eyecup at first either. But I'm getting used to it and it can come in handy.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Specifications

      Apparent Field of View 52°
      Barrel Size 1.25" (31.7mm)
      Bolt Case Included Yes - Free Agena Eyepiece Container
      Bolt Case Size Agena 42x60mm
      Coatings HT Multi-Coated
      Design Orthoscopic
      Height (with Eye Guard) 2.22" (56.3mm)
      Max Width 1.37" (34.8mm)
      End Caps 2
      Eye Lens Diameter 0.62" (15.8mm)
      Eye Relief by Design 14.7mm
      Field Stop Diameter 16.8mm
      Filter Threads Standard 1.25" Filter Thread (M28.5 x 0.6)
      Focal Length 18mm
      Lens Elements 4
      Lens Groups 2
      Parfocal Yes
      Rubber Eye Guard Yes (Winged)
      Blackened Lens Edges Yes
      Manufacturer Baader Planetarium
      Eyepiece Focal Length 15.1mm - 20mm
      Eyepiece Field of View 51 - 60 degrees
      Eyepiece Series Baader Classic Ortho/Plossl
      Barrel Type Smooth sided
      Eyepiece Weight 2.86oz (81.08g)